That observation which is called knowledge of the world will be found much more frequently to make men cunning than good.

Whatever advantage we snatch beyond a certain portion allotted us by at nature, is like money spent before it is due, which, at the time of regular payment, will be missed and regretted.

There is no book so poor that it would not be a prodigy if wholly made by a single man.

The process is the reality.

I have always considered it as treason against the great republic of human nature, to make any man's virtues the means of deceiving him.

By forbearing to do what may innocently be done, we may add hourly new vigor to resolution.

Those writers who lie on the watch for novelty can have little hope of greatness; for great things cannot have escaped former observation.